What if I told you that there’s a new way of taking selfies from a completely different perspective?

That’s right, this article is about the collision of two trending titans, the selfie world, and the drone world. The combination of ‘drone’ and ‘selfie’ has brought about a new viral sensation known as ‘dronies.’

We’re going to cover not one, but Six Outstanding Selfie Drones. If you’re interested, read on and decide for yourself which of these flying sidekicks would be best at helping you take your next dronie.

6 Best Selfie Drones 2018

#1 DJI Spark Selfie Drone

DJI has created in the Spark what might be the ultimate selfie drone .

It is very small and can even launch from the palm of you hand. You can control it with your hands, your smartphone or get a controller.

When you are done flying, it can land in the palm of you hand.

The DJI Spark has groundbreaking technology like face recognition and gesture control, where you can take photos and selfies just by gesturing to the drone .

Another cool thing about the DJI Spark, someone who never has used a drone before can fly it straight away. Within minutes of switching on the Spark you will be up and running, and taking dronies (drone selfies) with your hands.

The footage is outstanding for the size of the drone, and it has a built in gimbal at the front.

For a selfie drone, the DJI Spark is priced at the higher end of the spectrum.

Modes and Control

The Spark is is mostly autonomous and features several smart controls, like when the Spark lifts from you hand after it recognizes your face.

Using gestures to take photos is also groundbreaking, and something that today very few drones are capable of.

You can control it with you hands, with a smartphone or you can get a real controller for about $150, if you prefer to control it that way.

The Good

Camera – even though it´s 1080p video , it looks and stabilizes great.

Groundbreaking gesture based technology – Take photos by gesturing to the camera.

Palm launch

Active Track – the Spark is a drone that follows you around and shoots video.

The Bad

Flight time: Max flight time of 16 minutes could be better. Usually it may be a bit less than that.

The Bottom Line

This is the most technically advanced selfie drone today. If you are looking for a small drone you can bring everywhere, that still takes great photos and video or if you are a beginner who loves taking videos and photos I think this is the best selfie drone on the market.

#2 EACHINE E50 WIFI FPV Quadcopter

The EACHINE E50 is a portable folding quadcopter . The quadcopters wings collapse inwards alongside the body, making one small unit about the size of a smartphone.

It is one of the most affordable selfie camera drones on the market and is very similar to JJRC quadcopter.

The E50 comes in white and is accompanied by a small velvet carrying case which is great for protecting those important propellers when sliding it in and out of your pocket.

Yes, it will fit into your pocket , meaning you can keep it with you at all times to get that perfect shot.

Control and Features

You will need to download the WiFi FPV or WiFi UFO app to your smartphone, this is freely available on both, Google Play and the App Store and is compatible with Android and Apple devices.

You can choose to fly your quadcopter via virtual joysticks on-screen or by using the G-Sensor control by tilting the phone.

This will give you full control of your E50 as well as the ability to view exactly what the quadcopter is capturing via a real-time video downlink. You can also store the pictures and the videos that you take onto your smartphone.

The camera on the front end can be manually adjusted to face upwards or downwards. This drone also features an altitude hold function and built-in barometer, allowing you to take effortless selfies.

The Bad

Lengthy charging time (100 min +).

Limited range (max 40m, after 10m there is less control).

FPV lag and frame drops.

The Bottom Line

The EACHINE E50 is an excellent budget selfie drone. It does not perform well at distance but in close proximity, it is sufficient and an inexpensive way to get going with a drone and take some cool selfies or dronies. The charge time is quite long but the collapsible limbs make this a true pocket drone.

#3 DJI Mavic Pro

The Mavic Pro is the first foldable drone from DJI and while it is far smaller than some of its predecessors, it has retained almost all of their key features.

This is the most expensive selfie drone on our list but is also by far the most advanced and versatile quadcopter of the lot.

It is fast, stable, has a long flight time, and shoots amazing video, so in my opinion this is easily one of the best drones of 2017 .

Featuring a gray and gold color scheme, this quadcopter has been said to be the “the sports car of the drone world” with enhanced maneuverability and portability.

Modes and Control

In terms of still photography and selfies, the Mavic can perform single shots and burst shooting at 3/5/7 frames. This quadcopter also features Auto Exposure Bracketing (AEB) with 3/5 frames at 0.7, EV Bias and Interval Still Photography Modes.

For Video Recording Modes, the camera can shoot C4K, 4K, 2.7K, FULL HD and HD.

The remote controller is also completely new. It is entirely foldable and therefore follows suit in terms of portability.

The arms extend outward and can then support your mobile device. Your device’s screen will give you the real-time video downlink from the quadcopter while the smaller built–in screen on the controller will give you flight-critical data such as altitudes and wind speeds.

The controller and video transmission can operate effectively up to a maximum distance of 4.3 miles (7km) from the drone, placing itwell ahead of the other selfie drones featured here.

With the Mavic, you could perform a ‘dronie’ that zooms out to a distance of 4.3 miles while still receiving a 720P real-time video on your device.

Specs

Selfie Features – Indoor Flight, 1080P close-proximity video downlink, WiFi hands-free mode for selfies, ‘Active Track’ and ‘Spotlight’ feature keeps you in the frame at all times, ‘Gesture Control’ to instruct the quad to take a dronie using your hand movements. “Tripod” mode for indoor stills.

Flight Time – 27 minutes

Video Quality – Up to C4K (HD, UHD, 4K, C4K)

Photo Quality – 12.7MP

Range – 8 Miles (13km)

Charging Time – 70 minutes

GPS – US GPS and Russian GLONASS Satellites

Optical Sensors – Yes (5 Vision Position Sensors)

Obstacle Avoidance – Yes

Size – 83mm X 83mm X 198mm (folded)

Battery – 3830 mAh 11.4V 43.6 Wh (Lipo 3S)

The Good

Excellent image and video quality.

Compact and portable.

Has a physical remote controller.

Multiple Flight Modes making all types of dronies possible.

“Tripod” mode is made specifically for indoor still photography while the drone hovers.

Brilliant flight time and range.

Obstacle avoidance is a plus.

The Bad

The most expensive of our selfie drones.

Extra batteries are expensive.

Not as small as some of the cheaper alternatives (will not fit in your pocket).

The Bottom Line

The Mavic Pro is an excellent drone for selfies. It is definitely the most qualified to take all sorts of selfies and to take them in the best quality of all the selfie drones listed in this review .

It won’t, however, fit into your pocket and is, therefore, less portable than some of the smaller challengers. It has a hefty price tag and this means increased risk when flying.

If you’re looking for a cheap and cheerful quad to play around with and take a few dronies, then this isn’t the drone for you.

If you are looking for a titan of the drone world which can take some of the highest quality selfies, photographs and videos, while offering a myriad of versatile features, then this is precisely what you are looking for.

Check Price on Amazon!

#4 ZEROTECH Dobby Pocket Selfie Drone

It looks like something out of a science fiction movie and packs a major punch for its size.

This quadcopter hasn’t been designed for lengthy expeditions, instead, it is a perfect solution for those who wish to quickly capture high-quality photos and videos of themselves, their families and activities.

The Dobby quadcopter is in a price bracket above the JJRC and the EACHINE selfie drones but offers more features and higher image quality.

Control and Features

The entire pocket drone weighs in at less than half a pound and is fully controllable from your smartphone via the ‘do.fun’ app which is Android and iOS compatible.

This quadcopter has 9GB of internal storage with no SD card, this means that the photos and videos are recorded and stored internally and do not have to be stored on your smartphone. A micro-USB port allows you to easily download your content from the drone to your laptop or another device.

An optical sensor allows the quadcopter to track its position for safe flight indoors.

An acoustic sensor aids the quadcopter in performing gentle landings.

Dobby incorporates advanced features such as tracking the user and keeping them in the shot while recording.

It also has a “short video” mode in which it will take a 10-second dronie of you while zooming out from your location.

Swivel camera which can be rotated around a large angle, allowing shots directly below.

Doesn’t require FAA registration.

Uses US GPS as well as Russian GLONASS satellites for positioning.

The Bad

Short flight time of approximately 7 minutes.

Doesn’t have obstacle avoidance.

Still awaiting an update for 4K video.

3 Tap Take-off sometimes works intermittently.

May require re-calibration with satellites for optimal positioning.

The Bottom Line

The ZEROTECH Dobby Pocket Selfie Drone is definitely one of the best small selfie quadcopter available on the market. The video quality might not be 4K but is none the less, very good, especially compared to some of the slightly less expensive quadcopters.

The flight time is quite short and this is probably the biggest downfall. The portability, included sensors and versatile features are a plus.

Overall, if you’re looking for a small drone with excellent image/video quality for short, spontaneous captures then this is probably the best option for you.

#5 JJRC Pocket Selfie Quadcopter

The JJRC H37 “Elfie” Drone is extremely similar to the EACHINE E50 Drone. Many of the features are exactly the same and this quadcopter also uses the WiFi UFO app discussed above.

This is a black quadcopter that comes with white propellers and is accompanied by a small carry bag for easy insertion and extraction from your pocket.

The JJRC Elfie seems to be a toy version of the Zerotech Dobby, but because it is so much cheaper, it may well be the perfect solution for those simply looking to take some aerial selfies.

Modes and Features

The Elfie drone features a headless mode, a G-Sensor mode, a one key take-off function as well as a one key return function. These different functions allow you to control Elfie according to your preferences, move him around using the virtual joysticks on-screen or even by simply tilting your phone in the direction you wish to send him.

The quadcopter has LED lights on either side of the camera for low-light conditions, this also makes the quadcopter more visible for safety reasons. The JJRC Pocket Drone weighs in at less than 1 pound, making it extremely easy to take along with you and capture those selfies.

The Good

Extremely portable, weighing less than a pound and easily fitting into a pocket.

Altitude hold with Gravity Sense Control.

The camera angle is manually adjustable.

Spare parts are easily available.

Intuitive propeller replacement.

The Bad

No physical remote controller.

Long charging time.

Limited range.

The Bottom Line

The JJRC Pocket Drone is an extremely affordable selfie sidekick. The charging time is quite lengthy, the picture quality isn’t perfect and the limited range is definitely a downside. However, if you are looking for a small drone that you can keep with you easily or travel with and your main aim is to use the quadcopter in close proximity, then the Elfie drone may be perfect for you.

#6 Wingsland S6 RC Drone

The Wingsland S6 is the thinnest 4K drone available and is advertised as “the most powerful selfie drone on the market.”

It carries a 4K-capable camera, can be operated by Gesture Control and even features Obstacle Avoidance.

The quadcopter is priced similarly to the ZEROTECH Dobby and also comes in a compact package, with its four limbs folded up against the body.

It is available in orange, yellow, blue or camouflage, giving it a unique feel compared to the other white and black quadcopters in the ‘selfie pocket drone’ category.

Wingsland S6 App

The S6 can be controlled from your smartphone, using the Wingsland Fly app. The app gives you access to four different flying modes and also offers a simulator so that you can practice flying and getting used to the controls before really taking off with your S6.

Once you have downloaded the app from either Google Play or the App Store, you will have access to various features. On the screen you will be able to see your drone’s battery life, the number of satellite connections and strength of the signal. You will also be able to use the auto take-off and landing function or access settings, joystick control options and the smart functions.

Physical Features

It features 4 brushless motors capable of propelling the quadcopter at a speed of 8m/second. Beneath each limb, you will find a rubberized pad which acts as a shock absorber during landing.

You can also customize your S6 by adding expression boards (words and symbols), search lights or mini cannons to the top of the quadcopter body.

This is one of the more advanced selfie drones in terms of its selfie-taking ability. It has a camera capable of recording 4K video and on the side of the lens, you will find a LED light which can be activated via the app, making low-light selfies possible.

The quadcopter also houses a precision barometer which allows stable flight and hovering, keeping the camera still and reducing vibrations for clear dronies. There is also a “follow-me” feature whereby you don’t even need to be holding a controller to capture the shot.

The Bad

The Bottom Line

The Wingsland S6 RC selfie drone is a great option for those looking for a small drone for selfies with an excellent camera and some low-light capabilities.

This is a mid-priced offering that is focused on recording footage and taking photographs rather than on actual drone flying or racing. You won’t be getting the functionality of a quadcopter with a more advanced, moving gimbal but then again you won’t be paying as much. The S6 is perfect for capturing selfies and short videos at a moment’s notice.

Check Price on Amazon!

How Does a Drone Take a Selfie?

Drones taking selfies seem to be the next big thing, marketed as “throw away those lame selfie sticks and up your selfie game.” But, how does it take a selfie?

The answer to this depends entirely on the flying machine used and the type of selfie desired. Some wish to simply have an aerial still selfie, while the most popular drone selfies or “dronies” involve it focusing on you or your group and then backing out to reveal your location.

In some instances, you will have to operate the UAV, take it up to a suitable height, aim it at yourself or the group you are with and then take the selfie or fly the drone backward and upwards.

Other drones are more autonomous and have the ability to actively track you once you have selected yourself as the subject. It will then follow and record you or focus on you and then fly upwards and outwards, revealing where you are.

Some have facial recognition features which afford them the ability to focus on your face or the face of another for a very clear selfie image.

We will use a mid-priced drone as an example. While flying the ZEROTECH Dobby drone, you can point the camera towards yourself and take a standard selfie or you can select “short video” mode.

Then you hold the record button and Dobby will automatically pull up and away while recording a pull away selfie video for 10 seconds before automatically returning to you. With this quadcopter, you can also set timer shots and sequence photos so that it takes shots every so often. Dobby also has facial and target tracking so that you can select a target for the drone to focus on.

More expensive drones, like the Mavic Pro, have more advanced features. With the Mavic Pro, you can select the WiFi mode and put your controller away. Then you can use the ‘Gesture Sense’ feature to instruct your drone to perform certain activities. To instruct the Mavic to take a selfie, simply create a picture frame with your hands, it will recognize this shape and take a photo of you. This is about as autonomous as it gets with selfie drones.

Tips for Shooting Dronies

When taking a ‘dronie‘ realize that you will only be the focal point for a short period of time as the drone zoom out and away, revealing your surroundings. For this reason, it is important to select an interesting or beautiful location.

Start by raising the selfie drone between 5 and 10 feet off of the ground. Then face the camera towards yourself and ensure the desired background is behind you. If your drone has an advanced gimbal, it is recommended to set this at a level angle so that when it backs out it captures the horizon rather than the ground.

Then start to pitch the drone away from yourself for a few seconds and elevate slowly, keeping the pitch and elevation equal. Some selfie drones have built-in features that will perform this movement for you. This should result in a smooth, professional-looking capture of yourself and your intriguing surroundings. Time to share your first ‘dronie.’

If you want more than “just” a dronie, you might be interested in a drone that follows you as your move, drive, surf or ski.

Comments

Just got a JXD 523 Tracker which appears to be exactly like the JJRC Pocket Selfie Quadcopter. It is a piece of junk and the manual is worse. They should hire someone who understands English to write their manuals. Save yourself some frustrationa and just throw $30-$80 in the garbage can.

Hi there, Thanks for the great content!
I’m trying to decide on a first drone to buy for some ‘zoom out away from me’ selfies for videos around water. Do you know if there are any drones around the $200 range where you can mount a gimbal and one of the small GoPro Session cameras?
(As a newcomer to this arena, it is somewhat surprising that all these manufacturers insist on putting their own ‘most likely junk’ cameras into their drones…leave that to the companies that really focus on cameras!) All these drones could likely easily carry the small GoPro Session if that had been considered in the design.

Hi there
We’re looking for a selfie drone for outdoor fashion work. The drone should be able to take high quality stills and video. Most important can automatically follow and circle around the subject as they walk move. Good range will be important. Please can you suggest some devices we can research.
Regards
Jonathan

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